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Monday, April 15, 2013

POPLARVILLE - The Pearl River Community College Symphonic Band presented its 2013 Spring Concert on April 8 in Bender Cafeteria in Crosby Hall. With the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Performing Arts nearing completion, the concert marked the last the band will play in the cafeteria. The program included “A Hymn Tune Rhapsody” by Jerry Brubaker, “Brighton Beach” by William Latham, “Danny Boy” by Samuel Hazo, “And in the End, It was Earth” by Roland Barrett, “Selections from West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein and “Shenandoah’s Simple Gifts” by Larry Clarke. Dr. Kyle Hill, director of bands, recognized the students who were selected by auditon for the 2013 Community College All-State Band - Kelcey Whitfield of Carriere, Kimberly Arnold of D’Iberville, Danielle Rogers and Taylor Trigg, both of Petal; Kristy Noble of Gulfport, Adam Mixon of Sumrall, Allen Grace of Hattiesburg, Brandon Hutchison of Picayune, Chris Fletcher of Columbia and Eusebio Medina of Oak Grove. Michael Bass is assistant band director.

Ramsey Hunt , back row from left, and John Fisher, both of Poplarville and Jaylene Funches of Columbia

and, front row from left, Matt Walters of Hattiesburg and Jesse Bourgeois of Bay St. Louis play percussion

POPLARVILLE - High school seniors can start college practical nursing classes early through a program beginning in August 2013 at Pearl River Community College. The dual enrollment program allows students to attend high school in the morning and PRCC in the afternoon during the fall and spring semesters. After high school graduation in May 2014, they will attend PRCC full-time during the summer and fall semesters and graduate in December 2014. “We want to have a least 10,” said Barbara Whiddon, director of the practical nursing program on the Poplarville campus. “We’re wanting to reach out to Marion County and Lumberton as well as Pearl River County, Poplarville and Picayune.” An informational meeting for interested students and parents will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 22, in the Nursing Building on the PRCC campus. Information has been sent to area high schools about the program. Students from any high school can participate as long as they can travel from their high school to PRCC in time for afternoon classes, Whiddon said. “We’re excited to be offering more career-ready programs,” said Dr. Scott Alsobrooks, PRCC vice president for economic and community development. The dual enrollment program at PRCC began at the Forrest County Center in Hattiesburg as a pilot program in 2008.

POPLARVILLE - Former Pearl River Community College football great Steve Regan will be inducted into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame during ceremonies Tuesday (April 23) in Jackson. Regan, who lives in Dubach, La., is one of 15 inductees into the class. Regan was a standout football player at PRCC from 1960-62. “This is one of the greatest honors an athlete could have,” said Regan. “I’m so humbled by the selection.” During his freshman year in 1961, under legendary Coach Dobie Holden, the Wildcats posted a 10-0 record and captured not only the state crown, but also the national championship. As a freshman, he played defensive end and was named honorable mention all-state on one of the best teams ever assembled in the junior college ranks. He scored three touchdowns that year as a defensive player, recovering three fumbles in the end zone. The Wildcats scored 446 points in 1961 and allowed only 47 points in 10 games. In 1962, Regan was a two-way starter at tight end-defensive end and was the team punter, averaging 41 yards per kick. He also caught 33 passes for four touchdowns. With only six returning players from the national championship team, Pearl River finished the season 6_4 overall and tied for the second place in the state. “If you did your job, coach Holden didn’t say much to you,” said Regan. “If you didn’t, he would call you a lot of things. But you wanted to show him you could do what he wanted done. He used his psychology background on the players who needed it most. “During the games, he would chart plays to see what was going to work. Then we would come out the second half and be very good. We ran the pro offense. We ran a lot of the same plays all the time, so we did not have that much to learn as far as offense.” Regan was named first-team all-state, most outstanding lineman in Mississippi, and was second team All-American on two grid wires as a defensive end. He was also selected as Pearl River College's Best Athlete in 1962. “Pearl River is a special place,” said Regan. “My dreams started and were fulfilled there. Pearl River is always with me.” Before coming to Pearl River, Regan was an all-state player at Columbia High School under coach Charles Martin, where he played tight end-defensive end and also logged time as a fullback. He also lettered in basketball and track while receiving Columbia High School’s Athletic Award. After playing at Pearl River, Regan signed with Northeast Louisiana in Monroe, La. In 1963, he played offensive and defensive end and was the team's punter. During his junior year, he scored three touchdowns and averaged 21 yards per catch. His 1964 season at Northeast was shortened by an injury that required surgery. Regan signed a free-agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals but he didn’t make the team. After a few years of semipro ball, he returned to Northeast to finish his degree. Today, he is retired after working 35 years at the paper mill in Monroe, La. He is married to Martha Jane Regan. They have three children: daughters Rhonda of Highland Village, Tex., and Hannah of Harrisonburg, La., one son, Ryle of West Monroe, La., one step son Gatlin Hedgepeth of Dubach, La.; three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren.